Top 2009 Projects

Infrastructure Work Dominates in Midwest

Warnings are proliferating about an infrastructure crisis dogging the nation, and the message may be getting through.

Our annual presentation of the Midwest’s biggest projects in our Top Projects coverage shows that 19 of the 40 top projects are in infrastructure.

The biggest concentration of these is in power. Seven projects – including the four biggest starts overall – are in the power segment.

The biggest starts comprise the $3.8-billion BP PLC Refinery in Whiting, Ind.; the $3.6-billion Wood River Refinery in Roxana, Ill.; the approximately $3-billion Rockies Express Pipeline through several Midwest states; and the $2.4-billion Edwardsport Coal Gassification project in Southern Indiana.

The tapping of oil sands in Alberta, Canada, is driving two of these projects, the BP and Wood River projects. The two refineries are being expanded to refine the heavy crude.

Another major infrastructure trend is in airport construction. Four of the top-20 completions were in this area, comprising three at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago and one at Indianapolis International Airport.

As expected, several major road projects are in planning, with the $1.9-billion Interstate 94 reconstruction project between Milwaukee and the Illinois line dominating.

Medical Projects Other than infrastructure, a major trend noted in previous issues of Midwest Construction is in medical research and medical care. Nine of the 40 projects are in this area.

Three huge starts comprise the $700-million New Medical Center at the University of Chicago, the $536 million Parkview Hospital Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne, Ind., and the $450-million replacement Elmhurst Memorial Hospital in the suburb west of Chicago.

Top Projects Background Top Projects features the biggest completions and starts by cost in Illinois, Indiana, eastern Missouri and Wisconsin. Cost figures are based on the best available information.

The top-20 completions are presented first followed by the top-20 starts.

Coverage includes an image and brief description of each Top Projects started or completed between summer 2008 and summer 2009.

Cost figures are based on the best available information. Data was obtained by soliciting information from industry sources, using reliable reports and employing databases. An attempt was made to verify all information. Those projects were not included if they fell outside parameters, were unpublicized or lacked verifiable information.

If you know of any projects that might qualify for Top Projects in 2010, I encourage you to contact Midwest Construction. Have a great, constructive year.

- Craig Barner, Editor
Midwest Construction

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